WP1 focused on enhancing the research capacity of UTBV through learning best practices and elaborating a scientific roadmap. 9 partner visits and 9 staff exchanges were conducted, facilitating knowledge transfer from project partners to UTBV. The scientific roadmap identified key research areas in AI and Agriculture. A research capacity evaluation was conducted towards the end of the project, showing significant improvements in the team's capabilities.
In WP2 a total of 12 short-term training sessions were completed. Senior team members delivered presentations to ESRs, with weekly technical meetings and ad-hoc discussions, enhancing their knowledge. 2 summer schools were successfully organized. In total, there were 86 participants from more than 10 countries participating to the events, in addition to the ESRs of the UTBV team. 7 workshops were organized, that attracted tens of participants each. The training materials and 2 support materials for the summer schools were published as open-access material on Zenodo. A textbook on AI (in Romanian) for ESRs and students was published.
WP3 established key research directions, including spectral image visualization, soil roughness estimation, crop early identification etc. 5 datasets were created for testing and validation, made available on Zenodo as open access. A partnership with the Field Data Zoom company from Bucharest, Romania was formed to integrate developed applications into commercial tools. A a free ESA SNAP plugin for the visualization of spectral images was developed and provided in open access on Zenodo. The main results are new approaches and algorithms, with Matlab or Python implementation, for performing various tasks in the EO data analysis chain.
For WP4 six collaboration agreements were signed with various stakeholders, enhancing project outreach. Multiple project proposals were submitted, with several accepted for funding, ensuring continued research and development efforts. Various top institutions were approached.
In WP5 a plan for dissemination was carefully designed to address the best publication venues in remote sensing and connected domains. 16 journal papers published in high-impact journals and 28 conference publications, all open access, with significant participation in international events. The project implemented various communication strategies: logo, website, the official opening of the AI4AGRI Excellence Center in June 2023, 15 press releases and 7 articles published in newsletters and magazines to promote project activities. Participation in outreach events like World Space Week, engaging over 600 pupils and professors, and the European Researchers' Night.
The AI4AGRI project has made strides in delivering scientific and societal impacts through research and community engagement: 2 PhD theses completed, with additional career advancements for 3 team members, 10 master dissertations and internships conducted, farmers received NDVI maps for free, enhancing their ability to interpret satellite data.
